ABOUT ME

Full CV available on request

Lesley has a soft spot for animated films and emotive storytelling through drawing. Completing their Master of Design in 2022, Lesley is currently refining her skills further as a Master's Supervisor (co-supervision), Postgrad Examiner, Animator/Colourist and Lecturer at Auckland University of Technology (NZ).

Previously, Lesley has worked with the Good Health Design Lab (GHD), Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB) and Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS). She has also worked as an Editor/Copyeditor, Graphic Designer, Teaching Assistant and completed Brightside's Design Your Life and Future Focus programmes.

Lesley's Masters research has also been featured in conferences, symposiums, film festivals and award programmes such as:
- SAS (35th Society for Animation Studies) - Animating Change, 2024
- ISEA (29th International Symposium on Electronic Art) - Everywhen, 2024
- Designers Institute of New Zealand: Best Design Awards 2023
- Khabarovsk International Animation Film Festival "Animur" 2023
- FOCUS Wales Film Festival 2023
- Neum Animated Film Festival 2023
- PSAF Streamtacular 2023
- Student World Impact Film Festival 2023
- Dying.​dialogues Symposium 2023
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With an immense passion for animation, pre-production and drawing - I love exploring storytelling and what it means to unveil a story effectively. My interests are also in autoethnographic inquiry to make, think and feel. In turn, my Masters research was about 2D (hand-drawn) animation as a tool, to grapple with subjective feelings and experiences of death, loss and the grieving process.

Opportunities that increase interpersonal skills, support creativity and provide an innovative, welcoming environment are always of interest to me. My lecturer role has opened opportunities to be part of various papers from departments such as: Animation, Visual Effects and Game Design (formally known as Digital Design), Communication Design (Kinetic Typography) and Minors (Extended Reality).

The experiences in postgraduate studies and lecturing have challenged my perspective on learning and teaching, giving me ample opportunity to redirect some knowledge gained to my students. I receive generous teachings simultaneously from others - whether from mentors, colleagues, supervisors, or other students - creating this beautiful loop of learning, experimenting and shared knowledge. Colleagues and students have contributed to my growth, and I am thankful to be surrounded by talented peers who offer thoughtful insights and cheer me on.